Facility Activities

Things to Do

If you have 15 minutes....

  • Stop by the Highway 22 Wildlife Viewing Kiosk for some information and grab an English or Spanish trails brochure. Read through the interpretive kiosk signs and learn about the different wildlife and habitats on the Refuge.

If you have one hour....

  • Go on a hike or go birding! Baskett Slough has several miles of trails and is one of the most popular locations for birders to see migratory birds, especially in the Spring and Winter. 

If you have half a day or more....

  • Drive through the different native habitats on the Refuge and explore the additional trails. You can explore the Refuge from Coville Road, Smithfield Road, and Highway 22, see the map to plan your adventure!

Know Before You Go

Prepare for your visit by packing supplies in a bag. The following suggested items will keep you comfortable and safe when you’re outside:  

  • Jacket
  • Full water bottle
  • Sunscreen
  • Hat
  • Closed-toe shoes
  • Cell phone  

You might also want:  

  • Backpack
  • Bug spray
  • Personal medications
  • Binoculars
  • Portable first aid kit
  • Sunglasses  

Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge provides a plethora of different public use activities. From hiking to nature photography, there is plenty to do, and just off Highway 22 too!

Wildlife Viewing

If you enjoy getting outdoors and looking for wildlife, consider a visit to your nearest national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service� for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

Learn more about national wildlife refuge
! At Baskett Slough wildlife viewing opportunities range from the stately great blue heron, to chittering western gray squirrels and 
kreck-ek-ing pacific chorus frogs.

Interpretation

For interpretive experiences at Baskett Slough NWR, check out the Highway 22 Wildlife Viewing Kiosk or the Rich Guadagno Observation Trail Kiosk.

Recreational Opportunities

With the passage of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act in 1997, six wildlife-dependent recreational activities are often managed on refuges as long as they are determined to be compatible, legitimate and appropriate public uses of the refuge. Hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and interpretation are often referred to as the "big six". Baskett Slough offers five of the big six, including environmental education and interpretation programs, great wildlife viewing, photography opportunities, and limited annual hunts for waterfowl.

Baskett Slough NWR is an incredible place to hike! Observation blinds located at Highway 22 Wildlife Viewing Blind. Rich Guadagno Memorial Trail and Baskett Butte Trails are a great way to get a closer view of the native habitats of the Willamette Valley. If you want to photograph birds, stop...

Perhaps the fastest growing activity on national wildlife refuges in the past ten years has been wildlife photography. That’s not surprising � the digital camera population explosion and cell phones with ever-improving picture-taking abilities are increasing the number of nature photographers at...

Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge is an oasis for birds and birders of Oregon. The Refuge has a mix of different habitats that support a vast network of wetlands, oak woodlands, upland prairie, and more that support over 250 different species of birds!

We are a birding hot spot and a...

Hunting

We recognize that hunting is a healthy, traditional outdoor pastime, deeply rooted in America’s heritage. Hunting can instill a unique understanding and appreciation of wildlife, their behavior, and their habitat needs. As practiced on refuges, hunting, trapping and fishing do not pose a...

Wildlife Observation

If you enjoy getting outdoors and looking for wildlife, consider a visit to Baskett Slough. Wildlife observation is the most popular activity for refuge visitors. Over 250 breeding, resident, and migrating bird species can be found at Baskett Slough National Wildlife...